Spiro(imidazo[1,2-a]pyrano[2,3-c]pyridine-9-indenes) as inhibitors of gastric acid secretion.

Asymmetric and symmetric spiro(imidazo[1,2-a]pyrano[2,3-c]pyridine-9-indenes) were prepared using a synthetic approach that comprised a cross-metathesis reaction and an acid-catalyzed cycloisomerisation as key steps. The target compounds constitute potent inhibitors of the gastric proton pump enzyme with inhibitory activity comparable to potassium-competitive acid blockers (P-CABs) belonging to the known 9-aryl-7H-8,9-dihydropyrano[2,3-c]imidazo[1,2-a]pyridine series. Spiro(imidazo[1,2-a]pyrano[2,3-c]pyridine-9,2'-indenes) represent the first example for P-CABs, in which the distance between the heterocyclic scaffold and the aryl residue has been modified, and are promising candidates for further development as anti-ulcer drugs.